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Purpose: Dysgeusia and taste alterations (TAs) are side effects of cytotoxic chemotherapy and affect patients' quality of life; however, the prevalence, types, and duration of TAs and their potential relationship with other clinical disturbances are not well-described. Our primary aim was to prospectively evaluate the characteristics of TAs in early breast cancer (EBC) patients during (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy and up to 1 year after its completion. Methods: From April 2014 to June 2018, 182 EBC patients entered the study and received (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy, mostly with taxane and anthracycline-containing regimens (65% of cases). A dietitian performed TAs assessment through the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Event v4.0 (CTCAE) and the Chemotherapy-induced Taste Alteration Scale (CiTAS) questionnaire during chemotherapy and follow-up according to defined time points: at baseline (T0, before starting chemotherapy); at the first follow-up visit, (T1, 2 months after starting chemotherapy); at the final follow-up visit (T2, 1 week after completing chemotherapy); after that, every 3 months up to 12 months. Results: Dysgeusia was reported by 69.8% of patients at T1 and declined subsequently; salty flavor distortion was the most frequently reported TA (51.6% of cases). CiTAS was significantly different between T0 and T2 (p < 0.001). Dysgeusia occurred more frequently in patients reporting nausea, mucositis, diarrhea, and appetite modification. Conclusions: TAs are common but transient during chemotherapy and occurred frequently with other distressing gastrointestinal side effects. The assessment of these side effects is crucial in managing EBC patients during (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chemotherapy is the mainstay of cancer treatment, bringing patients optimism about recurrence and survival. However, the clinical effectiveness of chemotherapeutic drugs is frequently jeopardized by their intrinsic toxicity, resulting in side effects affecting the quality of life of cancer patients. This analysis explores the ethnopharmacological impact of phytopharmaceuticals, highlighting their traditional use in many cultures. The present study, which takes its cues from indigenous knowledge, aims to close the knowledge gap between traditional medicine and modern medicine in reducing the toxicities of chemotherapy treatments., Aim: The present in-depth study aims to highlight the current research and upcoming developments in phytopharmaceuticals for reducing the toxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs. Further, we address the mechanisms through which phytopharmaceuticals may reduce chemotherapy-induced side effects that include nausea, vomiting, myelosuppression, nephropathy, neuropathy, and cardiotoxicity using data from a variety of preclinical and clinical investigations., Materials and Methods: The literature search was carried out by employing search engines such as PubMed and Google Scholar with keywords such as cancer, chemotherapy, CNS toxicity, hematopoietic toxicity, renal toxicity, GI toxicity, CNS toxicity, and phytopharmaceuticals., Results: Bioactive chemicals found in plants, such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices, are being studied for their capacity to improve the safety and acceptability of chemotherapy regimens. The current review also dives into the investigation of phytopharmaceuticals as adjuvant medicines in cancer treatment, which is a viable path for addressing the pressing need to lessen chemotherapy-induced toxicities., Conclusion: The present review revealed that the potential of phytopharmaceuticals in alleviating chemotherapeutic drug toxicities would pave the way for better cancer treatment and patient outcomes, harmonizing with the larger trend towards personalized and holistic approaches to chemotherapy., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)